Page 6 - Lockdown Diary
P. 6

MARCH 9, 2020                                 
                                                    Dode the Sodge
                                                    for something with the exact change
             Dode the Sodge
                                                    • Saying hello to a friend in the supermarket,
                Video                 16:46         then creeping around like a burglar to avoid
                                                    seeing them again
                                                    • Watching with quiet sorrow as you receive a
                                                    different haircut to the one you requested
                                                    • Being unable to pay for something with the
                                                    exact change without saying “I think that’s
                                                    right”
                                                    • Overtaking someone on foot and having to
                                                    keep up the uncomfortably fast pace until
                                                    safely over the horizon
                                                    • Being unable to turn and walk in the
                                                    opposite direction without first taking out
                    MARCH 12, 2020                  your phone and frowning at it
                                                    • Deeming it necessary to do a little jog over
                                                    zebra crossings, while throwing in an
            Dode the Sodge                          apologetic mini wave
                                                    • Punishing people who don’t say thank you
            Who can relate?                         by saying “you’re welcome” as quietly as
            • Worrying you’ve accidentally packed 3 kilos  possible
            of cocaine and a dead goat as you stroll  • The overwhelming sorrow of finding a cup
            through “Nothing to declare”            of tea you forgot about
            • Being unable to stand and leave without  • Turning down a cup of tea for no reason and
            first saying “right”                    instantly knowing you’ve made a terrible,
            • Not hearing someone for the third time, so  terrible mistake
            just laughing and hoping for the best   • Suddenly remembering your tea and
            • Saying “anywhere here’s fine” when the  necking it like a massive, lukewarm shot
            taxi’s directly outside your front door   • Realising you’ve got about fi y grand’s
            • Being sure to start touching your bag 15  worth of plastic bags under your kitchen sink
            minutes before your station, so the person in  • “You’ll have to excuse the mess” –
            the aisle seat is fully prepared for your exit   Translation: I’ve spent seven hours tidying in
            • Repeatedly pressing the door button on the  preparation for your visit
            train before it’s illuminated, to assure your  • Indicating that you want the last roast
            fellow commuters you have the situation in  potato by trying to force everyone else to
            hand                                    take it
            • Having someone sit next to you on the train,  • “I’m off to bed” – Translation: “I’m off to
            meaning you’ll have to eat your crisps at  stare at my phone in another part of the
            home                                    house”
            • The huge sense of relief a er your perfectly  • Mishearing somebody’s name on the second
            valid train ticket is accepted by the inspector   time of asking, meaning you must now avoid
            • The horror of someone you only half know  them forever
            saying: “Oh I’m getting that train too”   • Leaving it too late to correct someone,
            • “Sorry, is anyone sitting here?” –    meaning you must live with your new name
            Translation: Unless this is a person who looks  forever
            remarkably like a bag, I suggest you move it   • Running out of ways to say thanks when a
            • Loudly tapping your fingers at the    succession of doors are held for you, having
            cashpoint, to assure the queue that you’ve  already deployed ‘cheers’, ‘ta’ and ‘nice one’
            asked for money and the wait is out of your  • Changing from ‘kind regards’ to just
            hands                                   ‘regards’ in email to indicate that you’re
            • Looking away so violently as someone  rapidly reaching the end of your tether
            nearby enters their PIN that you accidentally  • Staring at your phone in silent horror until
            dislocate your neck                     the unknown number stops ringing
            • Waiting for permission to leave a er paying  • Hearing a recording of your own voice and
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